Growing your own vegetables is a rewarding experience. Watching how you plant them, care for them and how they grow can be so fulfilling. If you have been lucky enough to have a successful harvest, the next step is how to preserve those fresh vegetables from the garden before it’s too late! There are many ways that you can freeze produce from the garden including blanching and freezing in ice cube trays or vacuum sealing. In this article, we will discuss how to freeze fresh produce from the garden by blanching first then storing it in freezer bags or containers. Without further ado, let’s see how to freeze vegetables from the garden.
What Do You Need to Freeze Your Products?
You will need to make sure that you have the proper tools and equipment in order for this process to go smoothly. Here are some items that you should prepare before beginning:
- Freezer bags or containers
- Water bath canner
- Pressure cooker/canner
- Nonreactive saucepan(s) – Stainless steel, enamel lined or unchipped
- Ladle for filling jars
- Jar funnel(s)
- Kitchen timer/clock
- Clean towels and dishcloths – Freezer containers with tight-fitting lids (optional)
Picking and Prepping Produce for Freezing
It is important to pick your produce at the peak of its ripeness when they are in season. That way, you will have a taste of summer during the colder seasons by enjoying them after it has been harvested and properly preserved for consumption!
First, wash and clean the fruits or vegetables thoroughly. It is important to make sure that all dirt and grime have been removed before freezing them. You will need to cut away bruised or damaged areas and unwanted portions before preserving them.
Blanching Produce
Blanching is a great way to preserve your garden vegetables from freezing. It will stop enzyme activity and remove oxygen from the cells so that vitamins, color, and texture are not compromised when you freeze them later.
To blanch vegetables, you will need to submerge them in boiling water for a brief amount of time. Then, immediately transfer the product into an ice bath so that they stop cooking and retain their color, flavor, and nutrients when placed into storage containers or freezer bags.
How to Store Fruits & Vegetables after Blanching?
Now that your fruits or vegetables have been blanched, the next step is how to store them properly. It is important that they are ready to go when you are ready to use them.
The best way to store your vegetables after blanching is by vacuum-sealing them in freezer bags. It will lock all the freshness and flavor of your garden harvest so that you can enjoy it later on when you are ready!
Some Helpful Freezing Tips
- Label each bag with the contents and date.
- If you are using freezer bags, make sure to get all of the air out before sealing them. This will help your food last longer in storage!
- You can also freeze some of your garden harvests by using ice cube trays.
- Fill up the trays with vegetables, cover them in water, and freeze. This is a great way to have small portions of your garden harvest when you need it!
How to Pack the Products for Freezing?
When you are ready to freeze your garden vegetables, make sure that they are properly prepared for storage. Here is how you should prepare them:
- Leave a little headspace when packing the product into freezer bags or containers
- If using freezer bags, be careful not to overfill them so that there isn’t any excess air trapped inside
- If using freezer containers, make sure to leave a little room at the top for any expansion that may occur
- Make sure to press out all of the excess air before sealing them up tightly.
How Long Can They be Frozen?
Now that your fruits or vegetables have been frozen, the next step is how to store them properly. It is important that they are ready for use when you need them!
The best way to store your frozen garden harvest is by placing them into a freezer at 0°F. This way, your vegetables will remain unspoiled and fresh for up to 12 months!
FAQ
What Vegetables are Good to Freeze?
The main how to freeze vegetables from the garden is how do you preserve fresh produce how can I freeze vegetables how do you save a supply of garden veggies are peas, carrots, green beans, broccoli, and corn.
What Vegetables Can You Not Freeze?
How to freeze vegetables from the garden how do you preserve fresh produce how can I freeze vegetables how do you save a supply of garden veggies that should not be frozen are meat, dairy products, and bread.
Can I Freeze Mashed Potatoes?
Mashed potatoes are best when they’re made with butter and cream, however, so be sure to add those in after thawing them out!